Device for automatically arranging the elements of sliding clasp fasteners



mac. 6, 1932.

K. F, NAGELE DEVICE FOR AUTOM CALLY ARRANGING THE ELEMENTS OF SL N LASP FASTENERS Filed Dec. 1931 WM YM MLWWW Patented Dec. 6, 1932 PATENT OFFICE KARL FRIEDRICH NAGEIJE'OF BERLIN-NEUKOLLN, GERMANY DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY ABRALIGING THE ELEMENTS OF SLIDING CLASP FASTENERS 1 Application filed December 10, 1931, Serial No. 580,118, and in Germany May 17, 1930.

The invention relates to an improved device for automatically arranging the elements of sliding clasp fasteners preparatory to fixing them to the parts to-which they are to be applied.

The object of the invention is to space such elements uniformly and all with the same orientation so that they may be correctly fixed by suitable machinery without the necessity of hand sorting.

According to the invention such a device comprises a rotating drum into which the elements are fed at random and which is provided with a slot having notches on one side adapted to engage the projections of the elements, and means for moving each element in succession in the same manner so as finally to bring them all into the correct orientation.

Other features of the invention will be explained by means of the accompanying drawing representing one form of the device with explanatory figures of the elements themselves, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of an element and Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation of the same,

Figure 3 isa front elevation of the arranging device taken in section on the line 3-3 of Figure 4,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the same taken in section on the line 4-4, of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a sectional plan partlv broken away and-taken on the line 55 of Figure 4. The elements intended for assembly are fed at random into a drum a shown inFigures 3 and 4 provided with one or more circun'iferential slots is. These slots have notches b at one side only which permit the 40 elements to emerge with only one orientation, namely that in which the projections m shown in Figure 2 lie towards the right-hand side in the-view according to Figure 4, i. e. take up the position shown in Figure 2.

Thus'oriented the elements pass to a space at provided with an overflow cl from which any elements in excess of requirements passing out from-the drum (1 are led away. From this space 9% the elements pass'to a magazine 5 0. From'this magazine each element must be taken in a particular orientation, namely, in the example shown, in such a manner that its head with the projection m is directed downwards and the two legs 0 upwards, as indicated in the lower part of Fig. 3. As in .55 the example shown the elements slide down the oblique walls of the space n with the legs directed downwards (position I, Fig. 3) they must be turned over, for which purpose they pass into a widenedpart g of the magazine 0 c in which there is a transverse pin 71.. This pin serves as a stop for the one leg of the element and turns the latter first into the position II, from which it is then tipped by gravity into the position III. From the magazine 5 c the elements now fall into a conveying device to be subsequently described.

As the elements are very small and light there may be provided according to a further feature of the invention a vibrator which sets the whole arrangement into vibration so that the elements slide more easily in the guide channels and slots. Thisvibrator comprises a rod p which is urged by a spring z against a cam q fast with the shaft r. When during the rotation of the cam q the highest part of the latter has passed the rod 7) this rod is released and thrown by the spring 2 against the wall of the magazine thus giving it a shock which is transferred to the elements. Below the magazine a and on either side of the same are located two members 8 outwith screw threads, one left-handed the other right-handed. The members rotate in opposite d rection and the distance between them and the pitch of the threads is such that chamberlike hollows are formed between the threads which are of just the right size to accommodate one element each. As the members rotateveach element is conveyed in the direction of the axes of the members from the opening of the magazine. To prevent the element from falling through between the members 8 a supporting strip t is arranged between the members.

Theefiect of the screw thread is that the elements are arranged at an absolutely uni form distance from each other and by suitably selecting the'pitch of the screw and'the width of the groove a correct spacing and fitting of the elements can be obtained.

The elements thus arranged are passed to the; machinery which closes the legs 0 for fixing them to the article which is to be provided with this kind of fastening. It will be seen that the device accordingto the invention feeds this machine correctly without the necessity of hand intervention for the arranging of the elements.

A plurality of'devices as described above can b e mounted next to each other, this providmg for multiple feeding and economizing in the number of conveying members reuired.

What I claim is 1. A device for automatically arrangin the elements of sliding clasp fasteners in correct relative location for assembly on the ar-. ticles to which they are to be applied, com-v prising arotating drum with a circumferential slot of width substantially equal to the thickness of an element, the said slot having notches on one side only not greatly exceeding in size the projection on the face of an element, an element receiving guide track and receiving and conveying means for the elements in the formoftwo cooperating mem bers rotating in opposite directions and provided with left- .and right-hand screw threads.

2. Devices for automatically arranging the elements of sliding clasp fasteners in correct relative location for assembly on the articles to which they are to be applied, each comprising a rotating drum with a circumferential slot of width substantially equal to the thickness of an element, the said slot having notches on one side only not greatly exceeding in size the projection on the face of an element and an element receiving guide track, in combination with receiving andv conveying means for the elements in the form of screw-threaded members common to two element arranging devices.

. in size the'projection on'theface of an element, an element receiving guide'track and receiving and conveyin means for the elements in the form of screw-threaded members with a supporting strip therebetween.

4. A device for automatically arranging the elements of sliding clasp fasteners in correct relative location for assembly on the articles to which they. are to be applied,- compris ng a rotating drum with a circumferen-- tial slot of width substantially equal to the thickness of an element, the said slot having notches. on one side only not greatly exceeding in size the projection on the face of an element, an element receiving guide track and receiving and conveying. means forthe elements in the form of two cooperating members rotating in opposite directions, adjustable as to relative distance and provided with leftand right-handed screw threads.

5. A device for automatically arranging the elements of slidin clasp fasteners in correct relative location for assembly on the agticles to which .they are to be applied, com prising a rotatin drum with a circumferential slot of widt substantially equal to the thickness ofan element, the said slot having notches on one side only not greatly exceeding in size the projectionon the face of an element, an element receiving guide track, a. sliding track provided with a widened part and a transverse pin located therein to catch the trailing leg of each element.

6. A device for automatically arranging the elements of sliding clasp fasteners in correct relative location for assembly on the ar-' ticles to which they are to be applied, comprising a rotating drum with a circumferential slot of width substantially equal to the notches on one side only not greatly exceeding in size the projection on'the face of an element and having a direction intermediate between radial and tangential, an obliquely directed element receiving guide track provided with, an overflow, a vertical sliding track in continuation thereof constituting a.

magazine and provided with a. widened part,

a transverse pin located therein to catch the trailing leg of each element and receiving andconveying means for the elements in the form of two cooperating'members rotating in oppo- I site directions, rovided with leftand righthanded screw lireads and having an element su porting strip between them.

7 A device for automatically arranging the-elements of sliding clasp fasteners in correct relative location for assembly on the arti- 1 cles to which they are to be applied, comprising a drum consisting of two parts juxtaposed to constitute therebetween a circumferential slot of width substantially equal to the thickness of an element, one of said drum parts having in its edge which constitutes one side of the slot notches not greatly exceeding in thickness of an element the said slot having size the projection on the face'of an element, means for rotating the two drum parts in unison and an element receiving guide track.

- In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signed my name.

KARL FRIEDRICH NAGELE. 

